Compared to most other waterfalls in Vermont, this is a heavyweight. Moss Glen Brook flows through a sunny open area of mixed forest and meadow. The stream takes a sudden turn into a narrow confined gorge. The stream goes over a couple of small falls (5 foot and 12 foot) then makes a 33 foot drop into a pool at the head of the last drop. The final tier is a 62 foot slide leading into a plunge followed very shortly by two ledge cascades. In high water, this is essentially a single fall of 75 feet. The total drop is 125 feet making this one of the largest drops in the state. Most of the cascades in the gorge are inaccessible, unless you have rappelling gear. The gorge here is between 40 and 80' in depth. Some years there are Peregrine Falcons nesting in the cliff adjacent to the falls.
The upper gorge isn't conducive to great views of the falls within. The edges of the gorge are very abrupt, and often overhanging to a degree. It's possible to gain some views into the depths, but only from a couple of locations, and they're not particularly scenic.

Geology and Bedrock
Structure:

This waterfall cuts a deep gorge through, then drops over the face of the Stowe Schist Formation (Schist, Greenstone, Amphibolite).

History:

The falls were once used as a source of waterpower. A wooden penstock once came down the right hand side of the falls, and there was a 10' dam in the narrows below the falls. There is some evidence of the dam, a few square holes in the rock wall on the left side of the river, and a curious narrow band of chiseled stair-steps on the opposite wall. There is no evidence of the penstock. Indeed, this waterfall has completely regained its wild character.

Photography Notes:

Check out the different angles. The falls from below bear no resemblance to the falls from above. Both points of view are highly photogenic. You'll want a polarizer, warming filter, and tripod. The falls are in a rocky chasm that opens to the west. This means that the sun will kiss the top of the falls. Overcast days or early mornings are ideal here. A wide range of focal lengths will be helpful here. I use a 28-300mm lens. Since parts of the falls are inaccessible, the use of a zoom lens will bring those parts of the falls within visual reach.

Directions:

Take Route 100 north out of Stowe village. In about 3 miles, take a right on Randolph Road, then another right on Moss Glen Falls Road. Just before the road makes a sharp right turn across the brook, park in the lot straight ahead. The trail to the falls is very obvious. When you come to the point where the trail begins to steepen, a small trail leads to the right. This leads to the base of the falls. You have a good side view of the bottom of the falls. Should you take the trail up the hill, you come to a sudden straight on view of the falls. The trail continues past this overlook and traverses the rim of the gorge. You'll reach the top end of the gorge in about 1/4 mile.